News & Press

Martha's Response to President Obama's State of the Union

Tonight, Martha Roby, Republican candidate for Alabama’s Second Congressional District, issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union speech:
 
“Tonight, the President outlined his vision for the future of our country, and acknowledged the challenges we face, both at home and abroad. However, the vision and proposals President Obama offered are very different than what I hear from voters every day. More of the same from Washington won’t create more jobs, reign in wasteful spending, or improve health care. There is a better way.

We all know families who are struggling to get by.  Alabama’s unemployment rose to 11% in December: the highest level in 26 years.  Coming a year after the $787 billion stimulus, these numbers demonstrate that the Democrats’ approach to recovery and job creation simply doesn’t work. I know that small business, not government is the engine of job creation in America. We need to put money back in the hands of the taxpayers and small business owners, and reduce burdensome regulations coming from Washington.

Another barricade to economic recovery is Washington’s spending spree.  President Obama’s plan to place a spending freeze on several departments is a step in the right direction, but we can’t forget that over the last year Obama and the Democrats increased spending by $536 billion, a 22% increase.  Across the country, families were tightening their belts and cutting expenses, but our government continued to recklessly spend and borrow. 

My experience on the Montgomery City Council has taught me that cutting spending is never easy, but sometimes tough choices have to be made. I’ve stood up against higher taxes and wasteful spending in Montgomery, and I will do the same in Washington.  

Scott Brown’s tremendous victory last week in Massachusetts has prevented the Democrats from shoving their bad health care legislation down our throats—for now.  But the fight is not over.
Instead of government-centered reform that does nothing to address cost, we must offer reforms that will make health care more affordable, portable and accessible -- like allowing Americans to purchase health care plans across state lines, and reforming the tax code to treat individuals who purchase health care the same as employers. Health care is about making people better, and that’s why people, not government, should be the focus of reform.

We can get this country back on track.  I’ve seen and heard solutions all across the 2nd District, and we need to send this message to Washington.  There is a better way. I hope you’ll join me.”